Washer and sterilizer



Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,310 T.D. BEAUMONT WASHER AND STERILIZER.

Filed Nov. 23. 1926 INVENTOR T. D. BEAUMONT ATTRNEY novel manner above the washer..

vide' a washer and pact and comparatively Patented eb. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES TRUE DAVIS BEAUMONT, OF LOS .AITGEJ'.|IEI S, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB TO LOUIS I. DUCKER, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

WASHER AND STEBILIZER.

Application filed November as, 1920. Serial 110. 150,249.

This invention resides in the provision of an improved I washer and sterilizer which though made up of but few simpl constructed and inexpensive parts, .may e efiicaciously and cheapl operated to thoroughly wash andnster-ilize -c othes and other objects.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide aflwasher and sterilizer of the char acter described in which no moving parts are necessary and in which a rapid circulation of water and steam may be quickly provided in such manner as to thoroughly'wash cloths or other articles which are suspended in .a the level of thewaterin of the invention is to pro-. sterilizer of the character will be durable, strong, comlight asto weight.

- A further object is to .provide in a washerand sterilizer of the character described a novel means for producing a quick heating of the water and a circulation of the water through an especially constructed heating chamber.

With the above mentioned and other'objects in view, the invention. consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described,v illustrated-in the accompanying drawings, and set forth in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that-various changes in the for'm, -pr0portion,

Another object described which sure and minor details of construction within 'the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacri-' ficing any of the advantages of the 1nvention.

Referring to the drawings: e 4 Fig. 1 represents a vertical sectlonal we of the apparatus of the invention.

Fig. 2 represents a cross sectional view takenon the plane of line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 represents a cross sectional view taken on the plane of line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the plane 4-4 otFig. 3. The-embodiment of theinventionshown in detail in the accompanying drawings com-v prises a receptacle 1 which in the present instance is cylindrical and generally similar to the ordinary wash boiler except that its bottom wall 2 is upwardly spaced from the lower edge of the cylindrical wall 3. This bottom wall 'is provided at its periphery with a downwardly extending annular flange 4 .11 being likewise secured around the lower edge of which the lower edge of the cylindricalwall 3 is crimped or bent up as at 5 thereby securing the bottom wall in place.

Centrally of the bottom wall is a circular 6 the bottom of which is concavo-convex, the convex side being uppermost. Mounted over the depression 6 so as to enclose the same is a concave-convex circular closure plate 7, the periphery of which is engaged in a recess 8 formed by depressing the bottom 2, around the edge of the compartment 6. This closure 7 provides with the depression, closed heating compartment in the center 0 the receptacle. On opposite sides otthe compartment are intake openings 9. Lateral conduits 10 extend from the intake openings 9 towards the cylindrical wall of the rece tacle. These conduits are provided y soldering or otherwise semi-cylindrical ieces 11 to the underside of that portion 0 the bottom wall surrounding the compartment 6, the ends of the ieces v to the cylin rical wall 3 and to the sides of the compartment 6, in the latter instance so as to communicate certain ends of the conduits with-the intake 1 openings 9. The portions of the bottom 2 surrounding the compartment 6 are'provided depression forming a pan-like compartment a circular enfasteningthe edges of over the conduits. 10 with outlet openings 12 through which water from thereceptacle flows into the conduits. dersides of the bottom 2 and extending downwardly towards the lower sides oi. the pieces 11 are baflle plates 13 which define between their of the pieces 11, intake openings 14, the plane of the upper portions ofwhich openings being below the plane of the bottom of the compartment 6. The purpose of this is to cause a differential in the heads of water in a perpendicular plane through the center of the boiler and through the o enings 12, thereby inducing a circulation o the water into the compartment 6 as will be later more fully described. This is further enhanced by downward ofisetting of the portions of the pieces 11 as at 15, which portions arelocated near'the intake openings 14.

Fastened in an opening 16 in the center of the circult r cover plate is a tubular spout 17 upwardly through which waters urts so as to discharge over the u per on of the spout and drop down into t e lower part of Attached to the unlower edges and thelower sides the receptacle. A circular perforated plate 18 is removably supported in the upper end of the receptacle. there being an annular supporting flange 19 therefor on the spout, the plate being provided with a central opening 20 through which the spout extends, thereby causing water to be discharged above the plate so that it will drop through the perforations and into the lower-part of the receptacle. At a point spaced inwardly ot the outer periphery of the plate 18 an anuular upstanding flange 21 is provided. Between this flange and periphery of the plate is a circular series of spaced relatively large openings 22. A flanged lid 23 is adapted to be mounted on the receptacle 1 so as to close it, the flange of the lid extending into the upper end of the receptacle and coming to rest on the upper side of the plate 18 thereby holding said plate in place. Clothes or other articles to be washed and sterilized are held in proper position within the receptacle 1 by means of foraminated plates 24 and 25 removably supported in spaced relation to one another by protuberances 26 and a flange 26' on the cylindrical wall 3. The lower plate or screen is disposed above the plane of the water level. The upper plate may be mounted in any one of several dilierent positions depending upon the bulk of the articles being washed. Each plate or screen is provided with a central opening 27 through which the spout 17 freely extends.

The washer is adapted to be mounted upon a suitable stand 28 on which stand is a suitable heater or burner 29. The stand is made so as to properly support the washer with the burner or heater extending into the concavity of. the lower side of the receptacle close to the bottom and immediately under the compartment 6. The washer may, of course, oe placed on an ordinary gas stove or hot plate but it is best and more conveniently used on a low stand having a heater thereon both as shown in Fig. 1. For drainage purposes, a drain cook 30 is provided in the lower part of the receptacle and is communicated with one of the conduits 10. In operation the boiler or receptacle 1 is placed over the heater as shown in Fig. 1 with an amount of washing fluid or water therein, up to the level indicated in Fig. 1, five gallons being ordinarily the amount used. The lower plate or screen 24 is put in place and the clothes or other articles to be washed or sterilized are placed on this screen and are thereby supported above the water. The upper screen 25 is next mounted in place and pushed down on the clothes to hold them in a compact package and to prevent the clothes from moving around and floating to the top during the washing operation. The protuberances 26 for the upper screen are arranged so that said screen may be mounted in place with the edge of the screen under certain of the prolubcrances at ditlerent levels, there being a notch 31 in the screen to permit of this operation. On the upper side of the screen are handles 32. The perforated plate 18 is next mounted in place and the lid is put on so as to hold the plate in place and close the receptacle. The heater or burner is set into operation and will quickly bring the water in the compartment 6 to the boiling point. This quick boiling is brought about due to the close proximity of the burner or heater to the botlnn of the compartment. As soon as the water reaches the boiling point, it spurts upw: rd together with the steam. through the spout 17 out of the upper end of the spout and down onto the plate 18. where it is forced through the perforations in the plate 18 onto the package of clothes or other articles. The steam and water is forced or passes through the clothes down in the space between the screens 24; and 25. Cold water in the body of water in the bottom proper of the receptacle passes downward through the openings 12 and through the openings 14 into the conduits l0 and from thence through the openings 9 into the compartment 6. openings 1 1 of said compartment are lower than the intake openings 9 and also lower than the bottom of the compartment 6, the differential in heads causes the water to rapidly circulate into the heatingcompartment 6 and from thence it passes upward as before described through the spout 17, the action is that of a percolator and with the steam pressure, the hot water sprays through the perforations in the plate 18 onto the clothes or other articles to be washed. The arrangement of the elements of this washer causes a rapid circulation of hot alter and steam through the clothes not only thoroughly washing the clothes but sterilizing them at the same time. To prevent the steam generated in the body of water from rising upward through the perforations in the plate 18 and interfering with the downward passage of water and steam through said perforations. the openings 22 are provided. These openings being relatively large. provide for an outlet of the steam adjacent the periphery of the plate 18 into the upper part of the washer and no interference with the downward passage of steam and water through the perforations is provided. The steam having passed upward above the plate 18 through the openings 22 will he forced downward through the perforations together with the water and steam rising upward through the spout 17.

It will thus be seen that with the simply constructed and inexpensive washer of this invention in which no moving parts are used and in which but few simply constructed parts are employed, an effective washing and sterilizing operation may be Inasmuch as the intake.

easily, thoroughly and cheaply carried out. The parts are constructed and arranged so that they may be readily assembled and disassembled fonthe purpose of renewal of worn or damaged parts. ()ne of the essential features of the invention is the provision for the flow of water into the compartment 6, the means providing for this being simple as to construction and inexpensive.

Aside from the above features, the provision for holding the clothes in a compact package above the level of the water is an important advantage provided by this invention. The screens or plates 24 and 25 are preferably formed of coarse mesh wire screen and the adjustable top screen prevents the clothes from floating around in the receptacle and from rising to the top of the receptacle. By holding the clothes in this position between the top and bottom of the receptacle, the proper circulation of the steam and water through the clothes is in sured.

Another feature of importance is the especially constructed top plate with the small perforations in the body thereof and the larger openings adjacent the periphery. This insures an effective circulation of hot water; and steam. The steam rising in the receptacle would, if it were not for the open ings 22, tend to escape through the perforations in the plate 18 and interfere'with the downward passage of water and steam through said perforations and as it is, the steam passes upward through the perforations 22 and in no way interferes with the downward passage of steam and water through said perforations.

I claim:

1. A washer and sterilizer comprising a'receptacle, an enclosed heating compartment in the center and comprising a part of the bottom wall of said receptacle, which coinpartment is provided with intake openings on opposite sides thereof, lateral conduits closed on the upper sides by said bottom wall and being provided on opposite sides of the compartment, with their inner ends con'imunicated with said intake openings, said receptacle having in the bottom wall thereofopenings which communicate. the receptacle with the outer ends of said conduits, a spout communicating with and extending upwardly from the upper side of said compartment, through which spout water and steam rises, a plate mounted in the upper part of the receptacle and above which the upper end of the spout extends, a member for supporting articles to be washed. and sterilized mounted in the receptacle above said COlDptLltIllQnt, and a closure for said receptacle.

2'. A washer and sterilizer comprising a receptacle, a heating compartment provided in the center of and forming a part of the bottom of said receptacle, which compartment is provided on its sides with intake openings, the bottom of said compartment being concavo-convex with its convexside extending upwardly and its concave side adapted to be disposed over the heating means, lateral conduits communicating with the intake openings, said bottom wall having openings the-rein adjacent its periphery con'imunicating the interior of the receptacle with said conduits, a spout communicating with the upper side of said compartment and extending upwardly in the receptacle and a means within the receptacle for supporting articles to be washed and sterilized at a point above said compartment.

3. A washer and sterilizer comprising a receptacle, an enclosed heating compartment provided in and forming a part of the bottom of the receptacle, which compartment is provided on its sides with intake openings, lateral conduits leading from the intake openings, said bottom wall having openings therein con'nnunicating with the lateral conduits, a spout con'imunicating with the upper side of the cou'ipartnient and extending upwardly therefrom, a perforated plate mounted in the upper part of the receptacle upwardly through the center of which said spout extends, a closure'for the upper end of the receptacle, said conduits having por-.

tions thereof disposed below the plane of the bottom of the con'ipa-rtment, the bottom of said compartment being concave.

4. A washer and sterilizer comprising a receptacle, an enclosed heating compartment provided in and forming a part of the bottom of the receptacle, which compartment is provided on its sides with intake openings, lateral conduits leading from the intake openings beneath portions of the bottom wall, said bottom wall having openings therein communicating with the lateral conduits, a spout communicating with the up per side of the compartment and extending upwardly therefrom, a perforated plate mounted in the upper part of the receptacle upwardly through the center of which said spout extends, a closure for the upper end of the receptacle, said conduits having portions thereof disposed below the plane of the bottom of the compartment and spaced screens mounted within the receptacle above said compartment between which screens clothes or other articles to be washed are held.

5. A washer and sterilizer comprising a receptacle, an enclosed heating compartment provided in and forming a part of the receptacle, which compartment is provided on its sides with intake openings, lateral conduits leading from the intake openings beneath portions of the bottom wall, said bot tom wall having openings therein communieating with the lateral conduits, a spout communicating with the upper side of the compartment and extending upwardly therefrom, a perforated plate mounted in the upper part of the receptacle upwardly through the center of which said spout extends, a closure for the upper end of the receptacle, said conduits having portions thereof disposed below the plane of the bottom of the compartment, said plate having relatively large openings therein to permit upward escape of steam past the plate.

6. A washer .and sterilizer comprising a receptacle, an enclosed heating com artment provided in and forming a part 0 the bottom of the receptacle, which compartment is provided on its sides with intake openings, lateral conduits leading from the in take openings beneath portions of the bottom wall, said bottom wall having openings therein connnunicating with the lateral conduits, a spout communicating with the upper side of the compartment and extending upwardly therefrom,-: a perforated plate mounted in the upper part of the receptacle upwardly through the center of which said spout -extends, a closure for the upper end of the receptacle, said conduits having portions thereof disposed below the plane of the bottom of the compartment, said plate having relatively large openings therein to permit upward escape of steam past the plate and an upstanding flange on the plate between said openings and the perforations in the plate.

7. A washer and sterilizer comprising a receptacle, an enclosed heating compartment in and forming a part of the bottom of the receptacle, which compartment is provided with intake openings, the bottom of the receptacle having outlet openings therein. conduits disposed below portions of the bottom and communicating the openings n the receptacle with the intake openings in the compartment, which conduits have portions disposed below the plane of the irtake openings, a spout communicated with and extending upwardly from said compaitment, a wire supporting screen for clothes and the like to be washed mounted in the receptacle above the plane of the level of the water in the receptacle and a similar screen mounted in the receptacle and beneath which the clothes and the like are held against moving upward in the receptacle.

8. A washer and sterilizer comprising a receptacle having a bottom wall which is provided with a central depression, a wall extending over the upper side of the depression and forming with the depression a heating compartment the upper and lower sides of which are disposed above and below the planes of the annular portion of the bottom wall which surrounds the de pressed portion, said compartment having intake openings therein, which openings are disposed below the plane of the annular part of the bottom wall, conduits provided heneath the annular portion of said bottom wall and connected with said intake openings, said bottom wall having inthe annular portion thereof openings which communicate the receptacle with said conduit-s, means for supporting clothes and other articles to be washed within the receptacle at a point above the said compartment and a spout communicating with the upper side of the compartment and extending upwardly within the receptacle.

TRUE DAVIS BEAUMONT. 

